2023 was an interesting year to be sure.
There were many happenings that caused people
to scratch their heads and wonder,
are we truly living in an upside down world?
But then there were other events that floored many of us
and made us realize God truly is moving his kingdom
into a new season.
Hello everyone, I'm James Lasher with Charisma Media.
This year started off with a spiritual sucker punch
as Pastor Jack Hayford of Church on the Way
in Van Nuys, California went home after running a race
we all should strive for.
Pastor Jack served the Lord with love and grace
to all who encountered him and helped shape
a generation of leaders to do the same.
While his accomplishments could take up
an entire documentary series,
Pastor Jack lived his life in a way
that made him the most admired and well-known pastor
in the four square denomination since Amy Semple Macpherson.
I have been personally blessed by the work of Pastor Jack
without ever having met him.
That is because I used the Bible he was the executive
in charge of publishing, the New Spirit-Filled Life Bible,
and I am forever grateful for the insight and knowledge
I've gained having used it.
Hayford also served as the founder and president
of the King's University which was established in 1997.
Pastor Charles Stanley also left the earthly realm this year
and is another Titan of the faith that I grew up watching
with my mother.
She would turn on the television
to watch his broadcasted Bible teachings in the morning
and they were a true blessing for both her and I.
Stanley was the senior pastor of First Baptist Church
in Atlanta for 49 years, as well as the founder
and president of In Touch Ministries,
the source of those sermons that planted a seed of faith
in me all those years ago.
Few teachers of the word were able to bring it to life
the way Pastor Stanley did.
Following shortly after Pastor Stanley's passing
was Dr. Tim Keller who battled pancreatic cancer
for more than three years.
Dr. Keller earned his nickname as the C.S. Lewis
of his generation for his pragmatic approach to scripture
and was one of the most effective apologists
and evangelists of his time.
His teachings helped many who were struggling
with their faith, including Christian musical artist,
Lecrae, who said Dr. Keller's writings
in his book, Prodigal Prophet, helped save his life
when he was contemplating ending it.
Dr. Keller served in the pastoral ministry
for over four decades, during which he founded
Redeemer Presbyterian Church and the Redeemer
City to City Church Planning Network.
And finally, we have the founder
of the Christian Broadcasting Network, Dr. Pat Robertson.
How much time do we have to go over
this one man's accomplishments on Earth?
From founding a Christian media empire
to engaging in politics and standing against the evil
spreading into American culture, Dr. Robertson shares
a place in Christian leadership alongside few others,
save perhaps the late Billy Graham.
Dr. Robertson's flagship program, the 700 Club,
opened a channel for him to reach more people
with the gospel of Jesus Christ than perhaps
any other human in modern history.
These men of faith, these spiritual giants,
are not being discussed for their greatness,
but for the greatness the Lord accomplished through them.
And they would tell you the same thing.
They were all humble servants who changed the world
with the lives they led in submission to God.
But now, as the Lord has called his servants home,
there is a changing of the guard taking place
within the church.
New voices are rising to proclaim the inerrant
and perfect word of God and to continue to answer
the call of the Great Commission.
While millions, perhaps billions, have been blessed
by the sermons of those mentioned here,
the job is not done.
We are entering into a time where the West
is turning away from God in every aspect of culture.
During such times as these, we need new leaders
to proclaim the Lordship of Jesus Christ
to a world that is increasingly hostile to that message.
Jesus told his disciples in John 15
that though the world hates them, it hated him first.
The world we live in today surely hates the truth
that is found in Jesus Christ,
which is why everything of God,
from his design, his principles, even his word,
is trying to be corrupted by those of the world.
While the word of God cannot be corrupted,
people can be deceived into believing false doctrines
that point to other sources of salvation than Jesus Christ,
or that make allowance for sin in people's lives
and do not teach how the Christian life is to be led.
That is why we need a strong,
disciplined Christian leadership today.
We need men and women of God to stand strong
against the tide of evil and apostasy,
looking to draw people away from the source of eternal life.
The world may try to cancel them,
and all too often we see Christians who proclaim the truth
targeted by mobs and governments alike.
But as fear and uncertainty will try
and grab the hearts of many,
we can always rely on the words of Jesus
in John 16, 33 for comfort.
I have told you these things
so that in me you may have peace.
In the world you will have tribulation,
but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.
So as we honor the men and women of faith
who have gone before us and have run the good race,
we keep looking to Jesus as our source of strength
and renewal and to continue spreading his saving message
in a dying world.
I'm James Lasher with Charisma Media.
God bless you.